The Teardrop Bag Pattern Makeover: O-Rings and a Zipper Gusset

The Teardrop Bag Version 2.0 - Some Variations!

A Pattern Revision:  After a few requests, I've done a bit of revising to make some instructions for a zipper opening to be used in the Regular Sized Teardrop Bag pattern.  I think it worked out wonderfully, and I really want to share it with you.  When you put the zipper opening in the Reg sized bag, it makes a perfect sized, large handbag.  Oh and those shiny rings look so snazzy!!  It's important to me that my customers are happy with their purchases and feel like they've had good value for their dollar, so I've emailed a link to all of my Teardrop Bag customers so they can download a new version.  If this is YOU, and you haven't received an email for some reason, please let me know.  All of the new revisions are included in any new pattern purchases.  OH! I've made a few more changes too.... like more metric!

In this revision you will find:
   - Instructions for a zipper gusset opening
   - Instructions for O-Ring or D-Ring strap attachment
   - Both imperial and metric measurements
   - New and improved formatting and diagrams

The pattern details:  The Teardrop Bag is a very versatile bag that can be sewn in sizes Regular or X-Large.  This roomy, hobo-style bag can be used for a large handbag or purse (regular size), for the beach, on an overnight trip, to dance class, to the pool, and even a trip to the laundry mat (X-Large version). I designed the X-Large size specifically to fit at least 4 or more beach towels and room for a hat and all the extras. BE PREPARED this bag is massive!  Included, are instructions for an optional magnetic closure, internal slip and zipper pockets. 

**Instructions for a zipper opening variation for the Regular sized bag, and a bag strap attached with large O-rings have been added as a supplement to this pattern.  The new zipper style opening and O-rings make a very stylish bag and together, it's a whole new look!  (These are both included in your new pattern.)

This pattern is easy to sew and follow and has very detailed instructions including 70+ clear color pictures for reference.  Instructions are now in both imperial and metric.  I will teach you everything, every step of the way.  You will learn how to insert an internal zipper pocket, slip pockets and a magnetic snap.  All of these are optional so you can customize your bag to suit your personal needs.  You won’t need to enlarge any pattern pieces either; they are all full size and include seam allowances. Super easy!

Finished Size of bags are:  (Measurements are approximate)
Regular:      Width: 21”(53cm)  Length: 17”(43cm)  Straps: 16”(41cm)
X-Large:     Width: 25”(64cm)  Length: 22”(56cm)  Straps: 16”(41cm)

Where to find this Pattern:  You can read all the details, see more photos, look at a material list, and order an instant download HERE.

Thank you for stopping by, and please sign up on mailing list for my newsletter.  There will be a new pattern coming out soon - and everyone on my mailing list gets an introductory DISCOUNT. (Sign-up is on the side bar on the right.)

How to Sew a Zipper Opening in Your Purse or Handbag - A Tutorial

Time for another tutorial!  I've just finished adding instructions for a zipper opening into my Teardrop Bag pattern, and thought  - Hey, what the heck, I should post this as a tutorial as well so that you fabulous sewers can add one to a bag of your own.  I hope you like it, please leave a comment if you do! The pics were a bit wide for this blog so I couldn't use them full size, so you will have to click them to zoom in.

This is a zipper opening that is made in a gusset, that is open at each end.  Meaning, the ends of the zipper are not sewn right into the side seams of your bag.  This is suitable when you have a bag without side gussets, like a hobo bag or sling bag - or my Teardrop bag.  It's great for a bag you want with a wide opening that's easy to get into.  I'll try to provide tutorials for a few other zipper opening types - but first we will start with this one.  

The Bow Clutch: An Evening Bag Beauty!

Sharing is caring:
I just have to share one of the sewing projects I've been working on this week, because I'm thinking it turned pretty darn gorgeous!  Do you need a clutch for an event or wedding and you are just tired of your same old black one you took to your high school graduation?  Throw that raggy little bag out and make a Bow Clutch to match every shoe color in your closet.

Why this bag:
About two months ago my neighbor, Nannette, asked me to make her a clutch for a wedding she is going to at the end of April, and of course I said yes (any excuse to sew a bag).  Upon returning to my house, I promptly forgot all about it.  Then two days ago she reminded me and "uh oh!" it's only 2 weeks away.  She gave me a gorgeous Nine West shoe, that she wanted the bag to match and off I went, my brain scanning my memory bank of clutch patterns, whilst my car was on it's way to the fabric shop.  Three fabric stores later, I didn't find an exact match, but I'm hoping she still likes it because I was just drawn like a magnet to this shiny stuff.

Where can you find this pattern:
I was immediately in looove Whitney's (from Elm Street Life) clutch right away.  Wow, that cute yellow bag just draws you in doesn't it?  Classy and cute at the same time.  I can see I'm not the only one that likes it, it's had a great following on Pinterest lately too!  The tutorial is easy to follow and I'd highly recommend it even for first time zipper sewers.  It's sew easy, get the tute HERE!

Source: Elm Street Life

Mingle With Us Blog Hop - With Guest Host "Two Sasters" - Join in!

I am so totally devoted to the girls over at Two Sasters, especially since Cari helped me get my blog sorted out.  They are super-duper-fantastic!  It turns out that if you show too many posts on your home page at once, any Internet Explorer users will not see your side bars with all of your buttons and millions of assorted gadgets that you make you feel so special.  Instead, they will all be at the bottom of your multitude of previous posts and won't look special at all!  So this morning when I saw that the Two Sasters blog was featured somewhere, I had to jump over... because, as I said, I am that devoted.  Oh and I like to hop...

This week Two Sasters is the guest host on the Mingle With Us Blog Hop Hosted by Happy Go Lucky, I Heart Crafty Things, Joy in the Jumble and Keeping Up With Kristi.  To join in the hop, please follow these awesome blogs (as I now am) and visit Two Sasters!  You can tell 'em I sent you if ya like!  [Not to assume that they will remember little ol' me ;)]  Visit a bunch of other awesome blogs, follow the ones you like, and maybe leave a comment just to say hi.







Thank you for playing along!

A SHARE your bags page, and a feature by Maaike!

I  LOVE  seeing the handbags that you creative sewers are stitching up with my ePatterns.  I've had a few wonderful emails from happy sewists this week showing me some of their Emmaline Bags.  I'm going to have to leave the house through the garage today because my head is so big it won't fit through the front door.  And... I have a really large front door.   Maaike from Maaike's Blog has shared her pretty version of the Emmaline Bag on her blog.  I think it says some really nice things, but if anyone will pop over and translate - I'd appreciate it!  Here is her version, isn't it pretty and "summery"!

"

Maaike's Floral Emmaline Bag

I'm thinking I should create a page here on my blog where I can post some pics of your bags. What do you think?  If any of you would like to share your pics of bags created by Emmaline Bags & Sewing Patterns ePatterns or Tutorials, please email them to me at: MY EMAIL
Remember, you can always share you bag in my Flickr group too!

I can't wait to share Ruby's bag too, but I'm going to wait patiently because she wants to feature it on her blog Zaaberry in a few weeks and I don't want to spoil it!

Thank you for looking, keep on sharing... Please!

Purse Giveaway on The NY Melrose Family! (contest now closed!)

Jenny from The NY Melrose Family is hosting her weekly link up party and this week the giveaway is one of my cute spring/summer bags!  At this rate, I'm not going to have anything left, I better get sewing.  After I clean the house.... Oh the house can wait it always does.

Jenny has a real knack for organizing, so if you are trying to decide what to do with that closet, or you want to create a home office out of a cedar chest, check out her blog.  To enter the giveaway, go to her post here:   The NY Melrose Family: Whimsy Wednesdays 5 and while you are there, link up one of your projects.  There are so many awesome projects to look at this week.  Get inspired!

The Temple Tulip Phoebe Bag, handmade by me, is designed by Rebekah Lambert and is made up with Amy Butlers Temple Tulip fabric. I love it!  It has a magnetic closure and a zipper pocket and is a free giveaway. I will post this bag to the winner. The contest ends five days from NOW!

To read about my own handbag designs and epatterns, go here. 

UPDATE: THE WINNER IS MICHELLE MCCORD!!

Thank you for looking, 

Handbag Winner Announced & Happy Easter to You!

I just love announcing winners!  Seriously it's so fun.  I think tomorrow when I go to the post office to mail this bag to Jill from Home a la mode, I am going to just tell everyone in line they are winners.  "Hi, you're a winner!", "You win!", "Winning!"  Oops, I went too far with the "Winning!".  Sounding like Charlie Sheen just cheapens the whole thing doesn't it?

But honestly, I am just so thankful that you stopped by the blog, facebook, and my website.  Followed me here there and everywhere, and entered the contest.

I will be sending out this cute handbag to Jill, as soon as she sends me her mailing address (I'll contact you Jill).  In the meantime, please check out her webpage and blog for all that is Moda.

In the spirit of the French words "a la mode",  I would like to wish you a wonderful Easter weekend with a cute little vintage french card I found over at The Graphics Fairy.  Isn't she cute, even if a little sullen...